Bored? Try These Bethesda Games on Game Pass

Remember when Microsoft snatched up Bethesda? Dude, that meant their whole library of games could drop on Game Pass, and guess what? They freakin' DID. If you're bored and got some time to kill, there's a Bethesda game out there for you. Open-world chaos, shooting sprees, whatever your poison, they got it. Get yourself a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and go nuts! Seriously, it's cheaper than buying these games outright.

Bethesda Games That'll Suck Up Your Life (in a Good Way)

Dishonored Definitive Edition

Available on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Okay, I'll admit it – stealth games usually aren't my jam. I'm more of a "run in, guns blazing" kind of player. But Dishonored? That one hooked me. The supernatural powers, the sneaky kills, the whole Victorian-but-kinda-steampunk vibe... it just works. Yeah, it won tons of awards, but even if you're not into trophies, you gotta give this one a try.

DOOM 3

Available on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Old-school shooters will forever have my heart. DOOM 3, while not as balls-to-the-wall crazy as the newer ones, is pure, classic fun. Blasting demons? Check. Creepy Mars base to explore? Check. Sometimes, you just wanna turn off your brain and blow stuff up, you know? This is the game for that.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

Available on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Do I even need to say anything about Skyrim? It's iconic for a reason. Giant world to explore, dragons to slay, and a ridiculous amount of side quests... I swear I've dumped hundreds of hours into this and STILL haven't done everything. The best part? Console mods are supported now. Want to turn all the dragons into Macho Man Randy Savage? You can do that. Skyrim with mods is a whole new level of ridiculousness.

The Elder Scrolls Online

Available on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Full disclosure – MMOs scare me. They seem like endless timesinks. And yeah, ESO can definitely be that, BUT it's also a surprisingly solid Elder Scrolls experience on its own. If you like the lore and world-building, the quests and story are worth dipping your toes into, even if you're not a hardcore MMO player. Plus, it's fun to occasionally bump into other adventurers while you're exploring Tamriel.

The Evil Within

Available on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

This one is NOT for the faint of heart. Survival horror at its finest, and by "finest" I mean it'll probably give you nightmares. Grotesque monsters, mind-bending twists, the whole nine yards. But if you like the adrenaline rush of a good scare, The Evil Within delivers. Just maybe don't play it alone in the dark...

Fallout: New Vegas

Available on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Hear me out: this is the BEST Fallout game, hands down. Ignore the haters. The story is fantastic, the choices you make actually feel meaningful, and that Mojave wasteland setting is just chef's kiss. Yeah, it's janky in that classic Bethesda way, but that just adds to its charm. If you want a Fallout that makes you think, not just shoot, New Vegas is where it's at.

Prey

Available on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Remember that movie "Alien"? Prey is basically that, but in video game form. Creepy space station? Check. Weird, shapeshifting aliens? Check. That constant feeling that something horrible is about to jump out at you? TRIPLE CHECK. If you love sci-fi horror that keeps the tension cranked up to 11 the whole time, Prey is your jam.

Wolfenstein: The New Order

Available on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Alternate-history shooters are always a blast, and Wolfenstein turns it up a notch. Killing Nazis is inherently satisfying, but The New Order does it with style. Great characters, an engaging story, and over-the-top action sequences... it's the kind of game that makes you yell at the screen in the best way.

McScratchey's Final Thoughts

Bethesda games have their quirks, for sure. Bugs, sometimes wonky gameplay, whatever. But they're the perfect kind of messy fun that keeps me coming back. If you're a Game Pass subscriber, this is a goldmine of stuff to keep you occupied. Even if a game doesn't seem like your thing initially, give it a try – you might surprise yourself and find your next obsession.